The new name will prompt those interested in history to discover this African American family actually lived in and retained ownership of the house longer than any of its previous owners.
The new title, Clarke-Ford Home, corrects the record to show a Black religious leader’s critical involvement in saving and preserving the city’s oldest home.
The Clarke House, built in 1836, is now the Clarke-Ford House to reflect the stewardship of Bishop Louis Henry and Margaret Ford, who rescued the building for posterity.
Adding the name of the Black pastor who bought an 1830s house in 1941 when city officials didn't want it and then spent over 30 years restoring and using it will likely be approved this week.